The release of new content on the Joseph Smith Papers website provides readers with an illuminating walk back in time as documents disclose new chapters in early Church history. The latest release includes the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, hundreds of miscellaneous documents from 1840, Parley P. Pratt’s two volumes on the Church’s persecutions, the Book of the Law of the Lord, and the introduction to the Manuscript History. All are priceless for their historic value. The work of historians, editors, and text and imaging experts who study the documents and prepare them for publication is a story behind the story. The way technology is being used to tell that story is truly remarkable!

Have you noticed a new feature titled “Talking Technology” on LDSTech’s Facebook page and Twitter feed? If you are not yet following the posts, short quotes are shared from general authorities on technology and its role in spreading gospel messages. As a result, likes and re-postings are at an all-time high for visitors to LDSTech’s social media sites. There have been more than 36,000 “likes” on Facebook in the final week of February alone with more than a thousand conversations!

The LDS Tools mobile team has just released an upgrade for Android and iOS (Apple). New features make the app more versatile for connecting with other members, leaders, and missionaries. According to Justin Krebs, product manager for LDS Tools, “The addition of missionary contact information in LDS Tools makes it easier for members to contact missionaries and coordinate their efforts in hastening the work of salvation."

Millions of members and their families will watch or listen to general conference sessions in homes, on personal devices, or at meetinghouses on March 28 and April 4-5. Participation in general conference now extends to members in more than 200 countries and in 95 different languages. To extend that reach, the Church will post short excerpts from speakers on social media using the #ldsconf hashtag, and viewers will have the opportunity to respond with tweets or online posts of their own.

When Elder Dennis Keating contemplated serving a senior mission for the Church, he was receiving the LDSTech Newsletter by way of his Bishop, who knew his technical background would fit a technology mission. At the time, he thought becoming a tester for some of the new applications and products being developed by the Church would capture his interest and give him experiences with new software while he was semi-retired.

After submitting an application and receiving his call, Elder Keating was immediately asked by Alan Smoot, LDSTech manager, if he would be a project manager. What a surprise! Although he had some experience with legacy programming languages, had worked for General Dynamics, and had enjoyed being a project manager deploying software for customers with Hewlett-Packard, he confessed that he knew almost nothing about the structure of current programs and couldn’t picture how he would fill the role of project manager, his team would be located at the Church’s Riverton, Utah office building. He knew he couldn’t pick up and leave the family business to move to Utah.

Mormon Channel recently rolled out updates to its website and mobile apps with a #WhereIAm campaign on social media. The campaign brings new emphasis to the way Mormon Channel goes everywhere you go, and delivers uplifting content wherever you are. Heidi Green, a producer for Mormon Channel, explained, “Mormon Channel’s objective is to deliver content to help our audience in every aspect of their lives— socially, emotionally, and spiritually; and with the app and website our media can be with them everywhere.”

This is the second of three articles on LDS mobile apps, many of which are supported in multiple languages and on multiple platforms. You will find an abundance of features. They are offered for your use and enjoyment and provide options you may have overlooked or not yet fully explored.

Useful LDS mobile technology is available for a variety of platforms, and development lifecycles continue to enhance product offerings. You may already be familiar with a few apps but not be using them to their full potential. Other apps may be entirely new, with features you will find very worthwile. Follow the next three articles on LDS mobile apps and learn about their supported platforms and features, including some that may surprise you.